Toyota Tacoma Frame Extended Warranty

[mapmaker]

Please forgive me if this is the wrong place for this post but I wanted to pass along some info to other Toyota owners.

Like many others in the northeast I found the frame on my 2000 Tacoma has rust holes. I wanted to let folks who may be in the same boat as me that Toyota has extended the warranty of the frame for 1995-2000 Tacoma's to 15 years from date of original purchase.

If your frame has rust holes call your dealer (even if you are not the original owner) and schedule an inspection.

If they do determine your frame is bad they have been offering to buy back the truck. Their offer has been Kelly Blue Book retail value, at excellent condition (regardless of the actual condition) times 1.5.

I took mine in yesterday they found rust holes. they asked to keep the truck and provided me with a rental car at their expense through the end of the month. I was told to expect a call from Toyota early next week to go over the buyout.


Again if this is the wrong place or old information I apologize.

 

[Airic]

Interesting, I did not know about this. I'm going to have to go out and take a look at mine. Mine's a '99 and has been great to me. Where did you gather this information from? I would like this for my records.

I guess year 14 I'll have to start washing it with salt water.

 

[mapmaker]

Airic,
Toyota started mailing out letters in mid march, I assume that they are starting with the folks with the older trucks and working up to the newer ones. I was told about it by a friend, I knew I had rust problems so I called my local dealer and got my info from them. I would suggest calling your local dealer ant they should be able to give you all the details.

 

[Builder]

So Consumer Report's darling Toyota has rusted frames in less than 8 years?

Man, could you imagine if a domestic truck had this problem? They'd never be forgiven.

 

[Matt_Jr]

Although I'm glad I own a Chevy, I still think the Toyota is a good truck. But rust holes in the frames could be a big problem. When I get back to work monday I'm gonna have to look this one up. Something tells me this is probably limited to certain regions, but I don't know. Oh, well. I think if a manufacturer is gonna own up to it (whether it's american or foreign) thats a big plus in their direction. However I tend to agree w/Builder on this one. The domestics would have a hard time living that one up.

 

[dgl24087]

Toyota press release:

March 07, 2008

Living Up to Our Committment

Rust, as they say, never sleeps. It certainly never sleeps in the states where road salt is in heavy use, and we've recently become aware of additional evidence of that fact.

We've received reports that on a small number of model-year 1995 to 2000 Tacomas, excessive corrosion of the frame has caused perforation of the metal. The reason for this, it appears, is that the frames of some of the 813,000 vehicles built during this time-frame may not have adequate corrosion protection.

As a result, when they're exposed to severe environmental conditions, especially in states where salt is used for the de-icing of roads, these frames may develop corrosion that goes beyond the normal surface rust that's commonly found on metal after years of exposure and in this case, these trucks are from eight to 13 years old.

Because of our oft-stated commitment to standing behind our products, we're extending the rust-perforation warranty covering these trucks for a period of 15 years from each vehicle's original date of purchase, with no mileage limitation, for corrosion damage that results in perforation of the vehicle's frame material. Owners of these Tacomas need not be the original owners. Even if you bought your Tacoma second- or third-hand, it's covered by this extended warranty.

Here's how this will work: Starting in the middle of March and continuing over a period of time, owners of 1995-2000 Tacomas will be sent letters informing them about this issue. If you find rust perforation on your vehicle, have your truck inspected by a Toyota dealer.

If frame corrosion damage is confirmed by an inspection at a Toyota dealership, at Toyota's option, we will either repair the vehicle or repurchase it. No matter the vehicle's actual condition, it will be valued as a vehicle in excellent condition. If the inspection reveals no rust perforation, the 15-year warranty will remain in force.

This is worth underscoring: This is not a recall. Rather, it's an example of our commitment to the durability of our products and to our owners. These are older trucks and rust is a fact of life, especially where road salt is used, but that's not what's important. What's important is that we take care of our owners. We just thought you should know that.


- Mike Michels, Corporate Communications

 

[Wayne County Hose]

My 2002 Ford Taurus's frame is rotted so bad it won't pass inspection. My buddy at the local garage tells me it's common. About $1,000 for the front frame and a day to install. He has done them before. What did Ford say? Sorry, warranty is over. Don't get me wrong, I am a Ford fan and really didn't like imports. Now, if I bought a Toyota instead.......

 

[TCowner]

I agree that Toyota, Nissan and some of the others are treated a little easier than the domestic manufacturers when it comes to defects but man, this is a genious marketing move. I have no idea what this will cost Toyota but this decision will bring more customers into the showroom.

I find their customers extremely loyal and for good reason. Depending on what happens with gasoline prices I intend to replace my Ford F150 within the next two years. I've dealt with Ford and GM on issues after the warranty has expired and received very little sympathy. Even when the service manager tells me that a particular part has failed on many units the answer is still the same. It is this type of committment to the customer that could easily put me in a Tundra.

Ford beats up Toyota on their weak frame and how it flexes so much more than the Ford. But I think its pretty safe to say that neither Ford nor GM would ever considering an extended warranty program like this which would include buying the truck back at top book value.

Toyota makes decisions that are in the best interest of the company long term. Ford and GM make decisions that are in the best interest of the company, stockholders,etc for the short term.

There is a reason that Toyota is at the top. In my opinion this extended warranty move will just move them higher.

 

[Builder]

I agree that Toyota, Nissan and some of the others are treated a little easier than the domestic manufacturers when it comes to defects but man, this is a genious marketing move. I have no idea what this will cost Toyota but this decision will bring more customers into the showroom.

I find their customers extremely loyal and for good reason. Depending on what happens with gasoline prices I intend to replace my Ford F150 within the next two years. I've dealt with Ford and GM on issues after the warranty has expired and received very little sympathy. Even when the service manager tells me that a particular part has failed on many units the answer is still the same. It is this type of committment to the customer that could easily put me in a Tundra.

Ford beats up Toyota on their weak frame and how it flexes so much more than the Ford. But I think its pretty safe to say that neither Ford nor GM would ever considering an extended warranty program like this which would include buying the truck back at top book value.

Toyota makes decisions that are in the best interest of the company long term. Ford and GM make decisions that are in the best interest of the company, stockholders,etc for the short term.

There is a reason that Toyota is at the top. In my opinion this extended warranty move will just move them higher.

How can that be true if Chrysler offers a lifetime warranty on the drivetrain of almost all their vehicles and GM offers 100,000 mi warranties on most of their vehicles?

Were Ford & GM's interests in the company and stockholders when they gave their employees some of the most generous union benefits ever in the history of labor? Toyota, nissan etc won't allow unions and pay lower wages/benefits?

 

[Renze]

Over here in Holland, Volkswagen recalls all type I Golf models, from 1976 (?) onwards.
The handle of the glove compartment may have ran loose, and everyone with a Golf I with a faulty glove box handle, can get it fixed for free....

VW has won a price with this, for the best TV commercial...



I guess Toyota reckons, replacing a couple of cars is a far more effective marketing that buying TV time for thousand$ of dollars per SECOND, ....